Verdict on the Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF test
The Stevens is light for a Bosch bike with robust parts and a removable battery. The new motor and modernised geometry promise high performance. The bike lives up to this promise with its powerful handling and confidence in difficult terrain, but Stevens can no longer offer the same level of value for money. There is still room for improvement in terms of noise, suspension and riding fun on moderate trails.
Test result
| Property | Grade |
|---|---|
| Riding behavior | 3,0 |
| Lab | 1,9 |
| Equipment | 2,5 |
| Motor | 1,5 |
| Final grade | 2,6 |
You can find the full bike rating here
Data and facts about the Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF
| Suspension travel | 160 mm |
| Wheel size | 27,5"+/584mm |
| Weight | 23.6 kg |
| Motor | Bosch Performance Line CX |
| Battery | Bosch Power Tube 800 |
| Fork | Fox 36 Float Performance Elite |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X Performance Elite |
| Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission AXS |
| Front brake | Shimano XT BR-M 8220 |
Strong uphill, strong downhill. Neither unsteady nor sluggish. The E-Inception is a genuine but sporty all-rounder at a fair price! Sounds good, doesn't it? The bottom line to the previous E-Inception AM with Shimano motor was a real success twice in our tests. And the key data of the all-rounder is still convincing today. Balanced geometry, well under 23 kilograms and, for 8000 euros, equipment that even tuners can hardly find any potential in.
Of course, on the face of it, that's a lot of money for an e-MTB. But when some manufacturers are now charging almost twice as much for their top models with premium parts, the price of the old all-mountain king is put into perspective. But the truth is also true: The brother of the previous E-Inception with a fixed battery and Bosch motor was never as convincing as the double test winner with Shimano. The new E-Inception from Stevens should ideally combine both talents - the best motor and a low weight with a removable battery.
This test is part of a large comparison of 7 high-end E-All-Mountains. Here are the other bikes & articles:
- >> Cannondale Moterra 1: Test winner - the best E-MTB 2026!
- >> Canyon Spectral:On CFR on test: Price tip for E-MTB with dream equipment
- >>Crussis e-Full 12.11 Pro test: fun ride with DJI Avinox
- >> Rotwild R.EX Pro: The best bike with DJI Avinox?
- >> Santa Cruz Vala 90: Downhill specialist with all-round qualities?
- >> Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF: Test winner e-bike relaunched
- >> Transition Regulator CX in the test: short range, lots of riding fun
The facts about the Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF
- Motor: Bosch CX, 100 Nm max. torque
- Battery: 800 Wh (removable)
- Frame material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 160/150 mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch (Mullet)
- Frame sizes: R1 - R5
- Price: 7899 Euro
- Weight: 23.6 kg (test bike in size R4, BIKE measurement)
- Max. System weight: 140 kg
- Warranty: 6 years
With the power of the new Bosch CX
Speaking of the motor: the Stevens E-Inception naturally contains the current Bosch CX (tested here) with the large 800 battery for a long range. Thanks to a firmware update, the motor delivers up to 750 watts and 100 Newton metres at its peak. In EMTB+ mode in particular, the power can still be delivered to the trail in a well-dosed manner, even in difficult conditions.
The long trail is almost too extreme for normal tours, but the Bosch rider is spoilt for choice here anyway. So the drive unit scored plenty of points in the test. Only the fresh Kiox 400 C display on the top tube with more functions would suit the touring-orientated E-Inception even better.
Value for money, little bling-bling: the equipment
However, the price pressure is now also somewhat noticeable in the other equipment. Instead of flawless top parts, the highest-quality model in the current series is more of a price-performance menu. But that's complaining at a high level. The Performance Elite suspension from Fox is functionally at factory level, the GX AXS transmission sorts the twelve gears in an exemplary manner. With heavy aluminium wheels and own-brand aluminium cockpit parts, we still mourn the loss of the predecessor with its elegant Raceface carbon parts. On the other hand, the price of the new bike remains almost the same, despite the large Bosch system and the general rise in prices.
Stevens has also worked on the geometry of the bike. A steeper seat angle is intended to improve the climbing characteristics, while a slacker steering angle should make for a smoother ride. Stevens has also given the E-Inception its new size concept. The bikes are no longer specified in S to XL, but in R1 to R5. Short seat tubes are intended to encourage bikers to choose the bike according to their desired length. Our test bike with its long reach and generous wheelbase in R4 almost corresponds to a classic XL bike.
Balanced and versatile: the E-Inception on the trail
A better motor, more modern geometry and functional equipment: does this mean that the E-Inception can outperform its predecessor in practice? With the high front, you sit upright on the bike. On climbs, the Stevens with its good Bosch motor and Schwalbes radial tyres leaves little to be desired. However, the high front end and long wheelbase have to be consciously managed in steep, tight corners. The suspension relies on support and leaves the search for grip to the grippy Schwalbe tyres. The range leaves nothing to be desired with the 800 battery - so you can easily tackle tours up to 2000 metres in altitude. For even more, there's Bosch's range extender.
Downhill, the Stevens dominates with a lot of confidence. You are well integrated behind the long and high front of our test bike and can let the shocks pelt the high-quality suspension elements. Unfortunately, the E-Inception misses out on top marks in terms of both sensitivity and absorption. The rear suspension in particular is rather simple. It does a good job of levelling out large bumps. However, the feeling of the proverbial flying carpet does not materialise in our test. Our test bike also rattled out of the down tube over time. This may be due to tolerances in the battery lock, which had already caused similar problems in the test of Ghost's new E-Riot. With the slack head angle, you have to ride the E-Inception actively over the front. Unfortunately, the E-Inception is not really playful. We found the predecessor with its slightly more moderate geometry to be more versatile.
BIKE review: Stevens E-Inception AM 8.8.1 GTF
Strengths
- Lightweight for a Bosch bike with removable battery
- High driving safety
Weaknesses
- Handling somewhat cumbersome
- Chassis only average
- Rattling
BIKE overall grade: 2.6
The BIKE grade is made up of the testers' practical impressions and laboratory measurements. The grade is independent of price. Grading spectrum analogue to the school grading system. We award a grade of 3.0 for a solid performance.
The BIKE conclusion
The Stevens is light for a Bosch bike with robust parts and a removable battery. The new motor and modernised geometry promise high performance. The bike lives up to this promise with its powerful handling and confidence in difficult terrain, but Stevens can no longer offer the same level of value for money. There is still room for improvement in terms of noise, suspension and riding fun on moderate trails. - Adrian Kaether, Editor Test & Technology
Adrian Kaether
Editor
